ONE HOT MESS

Donors Fuming over Congressional Candidate’s Financial Mismanagement, Unethical Behavior  

If you contributed to Carla Spalding’s most recent campaign to unseat Debbie Wasserman Schultz in District 25, you probably want a refund, since she abruptly switched her campaign to District 23 against Democrat Incumbent Jared Moskowitz. 

Spalding’s decision to switch districts mid-campaign has ignited interest in other recent decisions she has made regarding financial and ethical concerns. 

Now voters are asking themselves: Is she suited for public office?

Revelations from campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) paint a troubling picture of Spalding’s financial management practices, revealing significant campaign debt alongside generous self-payments from campaign funds. Despite her initial bid for the Florida Congressional District 25 seat, Spalding switched to pursuing District 23, leaving donors from her previous campaign questioning her commitment and integrity.

The financial details are stark: Spalding paid herself $2,500 every two weeks, totaling an annual salary of $60,000, while her campaign accumulated debts totaling $67,416. With contributions of $436,073 but only $12,919 in cash on hand, Spalding’s decision to switch districts has left her campaign in a precarious financial position. 

Congressional candidate pays herself $60,000 annual salary with donors’ money

When donors demand refunds, will she be able to pay them back? Probably not, since those donations have already been allocated to family members like her son, Brandon Spalding-Riese. He earned over $16,000 from his mom’s campaign in 2023 alone. These generous payments for one young man’s efforts have raised eyebrows and fueled doubts about the appropriate use of campaign finances.

When Spalding referred to successful businessman Carlos Reyes Esq. as an “old white man,” she also alerted the public to potential biases and insensitivity within her campaign rhetoric.

As Spalding’s campaign grapples with these challenges, voters must carefully evaluate the character and integrity of candidates vying for public office. The combination of switching districts, financial mismanagement, and ethical lapses raises serious concerns about Spalding’s ability to effectively represent constituents’ interests in Congress.